Ruslan Yaroslavovich Bazelyan, Russian male, age 21, 6’0″ tall, 160 lbs, brown hair, green eyes

By Detective Santiago Castillo, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau –Violent Crimes Unit

The Antioch Police Department is requesting the public’s help in locating a suspect in a homicide that occurred on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. The victim was a 71-year-old male named Ronald Henry Rush who was killed in his home, 4405 Horseshoe Circle in Antioch, sometime around June 10th and June 11th of 2013. The victim was killed as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

The investigation has revealed that Ruslan Yaroslavovich Bazelyan had befriended the victim sometime around the beginning of June, 2013. Since that time, the victim had been allowing Bazelyan to stay at his residence for at least a week before the homicide. Following the homicide, Bazelyan fled the location with the victim’s car and cell phone. It is believed that Bazelyan is either in the Sacramento or San Francisco area possibly doing work as an auto mechanic or auto body repairman.

The Antioch Police Department currently holds a warrant for Bazelyan’s arrest for the charges of murder and vehicle theft.

Ruslan Yaroslavovich Bazelyan

The vehicle is a metallic gold 2008 BMW 328i 2 door hard top convertible. The vehicle has personalized California license plates of: FOXRHR.

This vehicle is currently listed at stolen.

Bazelyan is a 21-year-old white male adult. He is a Russian immigrant who came to this country as a refugee from the Ukraine in 2003. He is approximately 6-feet tall and weighs approximately 160 lbs. He has brown hair and green eyes. Bazelyan does speak English but talks with a Russian accent. During his time with the victim, Bazelyan claimed his name was “Alex” which was later determined to be a false name.

Please see the recent photographs of Bazelyan and the victim’s missing vehicle.

If you know the whereabouts of Bazelyan or the missing vehicle, please contact your local police agency or the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau at (925) 779-6933. You may also text an anonymous tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

2009 BMW 328i 2-door, gold, Hard Top Convertible
CA Lic: FOXRHR

Joshua Benton

By Sergeant M. Schwitters & Lieutenant Robin Kelley Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Monday, June 24, 2013 at 10:19 AM, the Antioch Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Rainier Lane and Sunset Lane. Upon arrival, it was learned that during a domestic dispute the victim (11-month-old Justice Alasheia Benton) was abducted by her father (24-year-old Joshua Elijah Benton) and taken from the residence. As Benton was leaving, it was reported that he fired one shot into the air from a handgun and got in on the passenger side of the above listed vehicle and fled the area.

Justice was wearing pink pajamas and the vehicle was described as a dark green Dodge Caravan or Plymouth with tinted back windows.

An Amber alert was subsequently initiated for the abduction of Justice Benton. Joshua Benton is considered to be armed and dangerous.

As a result of the Amber alert put out by CHP, Antioch Police officers received information regarding Joshua Benton’s whereabouts. Benton was subsequently located a short distance from his residence holding baby Justice and being followed by family members. Upon seeing police officers, Benton handed the baby to a family member and then fled on foot. An extensive area check was completed; however, Benton was not located.

Anyone with information regarding Joshua Benton’s whereabouts is encouraged to call Dispatch at 778-2441.

By Lieutenant Tammany Brooks, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Friday, June 21, 2013 at 2:27 p.m., Antioch Police responded to a report of a suspicious package on a bus stop bench in the 4000 block of Lone Tree Way. Officers located a medium-sized packaging envelope that appeared to be full. Markings on the envelope caused officers to be concerned with its unknown contents. As a precautionary measure, Lone Tree Way was blocked off from James Donlon Blvd. to Bluerock Drive in both directions, and nearby residents were encouraged to remain indoors for about 1 ½ hours.

Members of the Walnut Creek Bomb Squad responded to the scene and determined the envelope was safe and there was never any public hazard. The roadway was reopened and the affected residents were notified.

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 4 p.m., Antioch Police began receiving calls of a fight, then a stabbing occurring in the 1600 block of Cavallo Road. Upon arrival, there were numerous people present providing varying statements as to what occurred, but Donald Fosselman was identified as being the person who stabbed another male with a knife. The victim was gone upon officers arrival.

The victim, a 43-year-old male Antioch resident, was at the residence of Donald Fosselman for unknown reasons.

A short time later a local hospital called to report a stabbing victim had arrived for treatment. Officers interviewed the partially cooperative victim and determined that he was the victim of this stabbing. His wounds were substantial, but not life threatening and was expected to be released after treatment sometime this evening.

Fosselman, who has a long criminal history which includes convictions for robbery, terrorist threats, burglary and theft, was arrested and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for the assault.

You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

From Antioch Police Facebook page

Over the past 24 hours the Antioch Police Department has been responding tirelessly to criminal activity occurring in our community. What the public needs to know is that we will continue to respond, using all of our available resources to reduce crime. This response to criminal activity will include proactive enforcement details on an overtime basis when resources allow. We will continue to work with other local enforcement agencies to maximize our efforts.

I also feel it is important for our community to understand that your Police Department, working with the Human Resources Department, has stream-lined our hiring process so that we are fast-tracking Lateral Police Officer applicants to bring them on to our force as quickly as possible. In addition, our continuous hiring model allows us to test large groups of entry level applicants with an applicant pool testing this month of 125 individuals. My reason for providing this information is to ensure the citizens of this community that we are doing everything possible to get our officer workforce to the 102 positions authorized. Increasing staffing in order to reduce crime is one of our highest priorities.

When funding allows, and our authorized positions increase, I will use those additional officers to focus on crime that is affecting us all. Those crimes are to include gang violence, drug enforcement, burglary suppression, aggravated assault, as well as vice enforcement.

The men and women of the Antioch Police Department thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Chief Allan Cantando

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Wednesday morning, June 12, 2013 at approximately 12:26 AM, the Antioch Police Department received a report of a subject shot in the 1900 block of D Street. Officers responded to the area to find the 21-year-old, male victim incapacitated from an apparent gunshot wound. Life saving measures were taken by the arriving officers and medical personnel, but the victim was later pronounced dead at a local area hospital. This case is currently being investigated as a homicide by the Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Stenger with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6894. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Morefield, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at approximately 5:47 PM, the Antioch Police Department received a report of a subject possibly dead inside a home in the 4400 block of Horseshoe Circle. Officers responded to the residence to find the 70-year-old, male victim deceased. The circumstances surrounding this incident are still being looked into, and the case is currently being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Castillo with the Antioch Police Department at (925)779-6933. You may also text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.

By Sergeant Steve Bias, Antioch Police Community Policing Bureau

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 5:18 pm, Antioch Police received reports of shots being fired in the 2200 block of L Street. As officers were arriving, one male was observed running from the scene.

Officers gave chase for an extended period of time before they were able to locate and detain the 29-year-old male subject hiding in a rear yard on Manzanita Way. The subject was suffering from at least two gunshot wounds. His reason for running from the police was unknown. The man was transported to a local hospital, and his condition unknown at this time.

Evidence at the scene suggested that there may have been two groups shooting at each other. No suspects have yet been identified. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information to this crime is asked to contact the Antioch Police Department at the numbers below.

You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH.